Getting Things Done

Living, working and playing in Southern Gila County is great—and getting better by the day as SGCEDC works to advance community and economic development priorities for the communities that it serves. In early 2014, SGCEDC developed a strategic plan that guides its activities. Key priorities identified in the strategic plan include:

• Assist to implement the community-based strategic plans in Globe and Miami
• Seeking grant funding to extend infrastructure to key commercial and industrial areas of Southern Gila County
• Collaborate with local mining companies to support the industry and advance collaborative projects
• Advance a Beautification/Housing/Schools Initiative designed to retain and attract new residents to the area
• Develop an attractive and compelling brand that supports business and tourism development activities
• Support existing business through a proactive business retention and expansion campaign
• Focus on the critically-important value-added mining industry
• Facilitate the development of new residential areas
• Collaborate with local healthcare professionals to support a wellness campaign
• Expand waste water treatment to unincorporated areas
• Manage a revolving loan fund to facilitate the retention and expansion of local businesses
• Facilitate the expansion of the existing logistics and transportation-based businesses

SGCEDC Leads Successful Funding Campaign for Infrastructure

SGCEDC assisted the City of Globe to attract a $360,000 grant from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to extend sewer line infrastructure to the northeastern area of the community to facilitate the location of a new logistics/distribution center business which is projected to construct a new 12,000 square foot facility that would immediately create 10 jobs and lead to a forecasted 40+ jobs within three years. The total cost of the infrastructure project is $541,881 which will lead to the investment of nearly $1.7 million in facilities development. After three years, the infrastructure investment is expected to support a new payroll of $5.3 million annually from the 40 jobs resulting from the investment. SGCEDC thanks the ACA for their support of this critical infrastructure project that has been on the drawing board for the past decade. SGCEDC will work to facilitate the location of additional companies to the area thanks to this increased infrastructure capacity. Sewer project update: The bid packages for the Arizona Commerce Authority funded Northeast Sewer Extension project have been on the street for a few weeks now. The pre-bid meeting and walkthrough were also held. Bids are due October 9, 2014 and we hope to have a contractor picked and the first hearing by City Council on October 28 with awarding of contract on November 11 Council Meeting.

Supporting Local Businesses Businesses located in Southern Gila County—or companies that are looking to expand or relocate to the area know that their community cares about their success.

One reason for this is the Business Retention and Expansion Program operated by SGCEDC. SGCEDC consistently conducts outreach to area businesses to determine any obstacles to their operations and growth, or plans for expansion that state and regional programs can assist with. Business in Southern Gila County is not taken for granted. Rather, business is supported with proactive measures designed to foster continued growth and success.

Local Revolving Loan Fund Supports Area Businesses One of very tangible ways that SGCEDC supports area businesses is by managing the local Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). While area businesses benefit from excellent support from the local banking community, SGCEDC can often “fill the gap” for business expansion through its Revolving Loan Fund. Businesses that are looking to retain and create jobs are particularly competitive for such funding. SGCEDC staff is always prepared to visit with business interests to inform people of the availability and procedure to access the RLF.

Wayfinding and Branding The unique culture and mining history of Southern Gila County helps to create the special place that it is today. In the spring of 2014, the Freeport Foundation awarded SGCEDC $55,000 for the Copper Circle Connections: Wayfinding and Signage Project.

The project is the result of a multi-entity collaboration to build the region’s capacity in economic/community development and cultural/historical preservation. Wayfinding strategies combined with a well-branded signage campaign will result in a systematic, visually-cohesive, graphic communications system for visitors and residents in the Copper Circle Region. The use of wayfinding and signage will encourage a sense of well-being, safety and security throughout the region. Visitors and residents of the area will benefit from this community navigation project. Tourism is a big part of Southern Gila County’s economy, and SGCEDC is supportive of efforts to provide hospitality to more and more visitors in the future. The wayfinding project is a key part of this priority initiative. Project partners include the City of Globe, the Town of Miami, the Town of Winkelman, the Apache Gold Casino and Resort, Gila County, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Gila County Historical Museum, the Globe/Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce, Horizon Human Services and the United Fund.

Welcoming New Businesses One of the top priorities of SGCEDC is to attract new businesses to the area. With Arizona and Gila County being an outstanding location to do business, more and more businesses will discover such benefits.

SGCEDC is currently working with numerous businesses considering expansion or relocation to the area, and proactively manages a prospect management system in order that prospective businesses are assured of timely information and follow through.

We are Here to Help SGCEDC shares office space with Globe/Miami Regional the Chamber of Commerce, and is a part of a very hospitable community looking to facilitate economic growth and welcome new residents. If you are looking for information, incentives, and a word of encouragement, please contact us.